Young adults who age out of foster care without a strong family or network of support face significant barriers as they start their adult journey. How can we make this journey more successful? What resources exist or need to be created?

On September 26, the first Fostering Success Summit will take place on the campus of the United Methodist Family Services in Richmond, VA. It will be a day of networking with opportunities to learn more about the foster care crisis as it relates to the over 500 young adults in Virginia aging out of the foster care system with limited support each year. 

Topics addressed will encompass the range of challenges experienced by these young adults along with the available solutions to include:

• Completing education goals
• Finding meaningful work with a living wage
• Affordable housing
• Healthcare

The speakers and panel guests will be comprised of practitioners from diverse backgrounds who work with impacted youth including relevant healthcare providers, local and state government agency staff, human services organizations and other stakeholders. Discussion topics will center around our community, culture, sustainability, and how we can support these young adults as they exit the foster care system and Independent Living programs.

The Fostering Success Summit is made possible through support from its signature sponsor, Anthem Healthkeepers Plus. Additionally, the organizing committee is comprised of representatives from partnering sponsors including The Success Foundation, Virginia’s Kids Belong, UMFS, and Project LIFE. Donna Shires, Medworks' Outreach Coordinator and representative of TSF, is a member of the organizing committee.

This event is intended to elevate the issues experienced by youth ‘aging out’ of Virginia’s foster care system with the hope that together, we can better support and find solutions to this crisis.